Brantley Leads Indians Past Orioles 5-2

BALTIMORE | Michael Brantley homered and had four RBIs, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday night for their ninth win in 12 games.

Brantley put the Indians ahead with a two-run single in the sixth inning and made it 5-2 with a two-run shot in the eighth off Darren O'Day. His four RBIs tied a career high, reached twice previously.

Nick Swisher had two hits and scored a run for the Indians, and former Oriole Mark Reynolds went 1 for 2 with two walks. The victory improved Cleveland's record against the AL East to 7-17 and provided an uplifting start to an 11-game road trip.

Ubaldo Jimenez (6-4) allowed two runs in 5 1-3 innings and Vinnie Pestano, the fourth Indians reliever, worked the ninth for his fourth save.

Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters homered for the Orioles, who have lost four straight.

Zach Britton (1-2) allowed only two hits through five innings and took a 2-0 lead into the sixth before faltering. Jason Kipnis led off with a double and scored on a single by Swisher.

Carlos Santana followed with a double to put runners at second and third, and after Reynolds received an intentional walk, Brantley grounded a single up the middle to chase Britton.

Brantley iced it in the eighth with his fifth homer after a leadoff single by Reynolds.

After being swept in a three-game series in Toronto, the Orioles hoped a return to Camden Yards would reverse their slide. But their only offense came on two swings of the bat.

After Markakis put Baltimore up 1-0 in the first inning with his eighth home run, the Orioles left the bases loaded in the second and stranded two runners in the third.

Wieters led off the fourth with his 10th home run to end an 0-for-13 skid and make it 2-0. NOTES: The Orioles optioned RHP Freddy Garcia to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for rookie Kevin Gausman, who was added to the bullpen. Garcia can refuse the assignment and become a free agent. Gausman is a candidate to start Friday against the Yankees. ... Cleveland recalled LHP T.J. House from Triple-A Columbus and optioned RHP Carlos Carrasco to the same minor league club. ... Indians manager Terry Francona said SS Asdrubal Cabrera (right quad strain) has been taking grounders and running the bases, and could soon be activated from the DL. ... Cleveland closer Chris Perez (rotator cuff) is expected to make another rehab appearance in the minors before the Indians consider activating him. ... Baltimore's Ryan Flaherty had two hits and is 10 for 22 in his last six games. ... Baltimore's Chris Tillman (8-2) and Cleveland's Justin Masterson (9-5), the winningest pitchers on their respective teams, square off Tuesday night. ... Kipnis has reached base in 26 straight games.